Dan Lanning has consistently driven the Oregon Ducks to compete at the highest level, leading them to four consecutive seasons with double-digit wins. The Ducks are expected to remain one of the premier teams in the Big Ten Conference and among the elite programs nationwide as the 2026 season approaches.
Lanning is set to enter his fifth season as the head coach at Oregon. His tenure has been defined by both success and the high expectations that come with leading a top-tier program. In an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, Lanning shared his thoughts on the current mood of the 2026 Ducks as they prepare for their spring game on April 25.
Dan Lanning Highlights Oregon’s Hungry Mood During Spring Practice
“Hungry, we’ve got a hungry group,” Lanning said. “I’m excited. We’re about to hit practice five here in spring. And we love being on the field, right? We love getting in the work. So, these guys have really pushed. We’ve got a lot of guys who made a commitment to come back. They know they’ve got something in the tank; they want something a little bit more.
“And we’ve got some dynamic gamechangers that have joined our program as well, so I’m excited to see what these guys do, but they’ve been working extremely hard, and there’s a lot of work to be done before we get to that season.”
Excitement is high around Eugene after Oregon completed a historic 13-2 campaign in 2025. The Ducks finished 8-1 in league play, including a thrilling 30-24 double-overtime win at Penn State on Sept. 27 and a 23-0 win over Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.
Their only regular-season loss came at the hands of Indiana. The Hoosiers later also ended Oregon’s season in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Peach Bowl, 56-22.
However, Oregon enters the season with a veteran-laden roster, as several key players opted to forgo early NFL opportunities to return to Eugene. The biggest news is the return of quarterback Dante Moore for his junior season. Moore will have an array of top weapons at his disposal, including tight end Jamari Johnson and wide receiver Evan Stewart.
The entire defensive front is set to return, headlined by edge rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, along with interior anchors like Bear Alexander. PFSN is bullish on Oregon’s outlook in 2026, projecting a 66.1% chance that the Ducks will make the College Football Playoff, along with an 8.2% chance of capturing the National Championship.
